Recently, it was the King’s birthday here in the Kingdom of
Cambodia. At the Cambodian Hope
Association, the orphanage that we are working with this month, Kelly and our
team organized races and relays to commemorate the King’s birthday. There were two teams, Team Lion King and Team
Monster. I can just imagine now how this
would look to the King …
In celebration of the birthday of the King, in the year of
our Lord Two-Thousand and Thirteen, I hereby proclaim that games and races and
feats of athleticism and excellence be held in his honor. Arrayed in a stadium with over one hundred
thousand onlookers to witness the glory and majesty of the event are the
competitors, those who run and compete to bring honor and glory to the
King. The King is given the seat of
honor, the high place overlooking the whole event; the track, the field, and
the thousands and thousands of hosts who are eager spectators of the
event. When the King rises, the buzz and
clamor in the air quickly descends into silence, as everyone bows in respect,
reverence and awe. All is still, nothing
is stirring, and all await the King’s command.
In an instant, the King raises his hand with a shout, there is a trumpet
blast and the racers are off! Each one
has been training for their entire lives to be found worthy to compete before
the King on his birthday. Only the best
compete today. As the racers round the
first bend, one of them loses their footing, perhaps their ankle gave way? They falter and fall behind the group of
racers. The crowd gasps; certainly this
racer will be disqualified before the King, to the shame of their whole
family. The race continues onward as all
eyes focus on the leaders. The strongest
have been distinguished and have distanced themselves ahead of the rest. The King’s interest arises and he leans
forward, anticipating who the winner will be as the runners approach the final
stretch. As all eyes are focused upon
the leaders, they notice that another runner is bridging the gap that the
leaders have gained over the competition.
The runner who had fallen back is amazingly regaining the lead! Despising the shame, this runner pushes
forward. Fueled by more than mere
strength, this runner is pushed onward by the sole desire of their heart not to
dishonor the King on his birthday. The
King grips the arms of his throne as the runners near the finish line. Could it be?
Could the weakest of the group achieve the victory? Could the underdog overcome the adversity and
prove to be the strongest of them all?
With one final lunge, the runner who had fallen behind pushes ahead of
the leaders to cross the finish line and claim the win! The crowd erupts in shouting and
applause! The stadium is livid with
praise! People are literally falling all
over themselves at the turn of events. Unthinkably, the King arises from his
throne and removes his crown to the honor of the Champion. The crowd is incited with fealty and begins
to shout, “Long live the King and give honor to the Champion who has overcome
the competition!” What looked like sure
defeat and shame for this competitor has proven to bring them more honor than
anyone else in the entire nation, because of their love for the King. They could have given up, but they pressed
onward and impressed not only the crowd of witnesses, but the King himself. They distinguished themselves to such a
degree, that the King decreed that at the award ceremony, all the other competitors
should bow before the Champion instead of the King.
(Image courtesy of Kelly Steinhaus)
… Well, this is almost how it happened. Anyway, we had a really fun day and though I
think Team Monster seized the victory in terms of points, Team Lion King did
have a moment where in their disadvantage, they overcame the odds and won the
final race!
